What is a common method used by money launderers to obscure the source of funds?

Money launderers often use a variety of methods to obscure the source of illicit funds, and each of the mentioned strategies is commonly employed. Investing in real estate allows them to integrate illegal profits into legitimate assets, making it harder to trace the original source of the money. The use of complex corporate structures can further shield the identity of those involved and complicate tracking, as these structures can obscure ownership and make it difficult to follow the money trail. Opening multiple bank accounts is a tactic that can facilitate the layering of transactions, allowing funds to be moved around and diluted in multiple locations, again making it challenging for authorities to trace the original source.

Collectively, these methods form a comprehensive strategy that illustrates the lengths to which money launderers will go to hide their activities and maintain the appearance of legitimacy. Thus, recognizing that all these approaches are commonly utilized highlights the complexity and the multifaceted nature of money laundering practices.